Wrist issue not a concern for Rosario

By Thomas Harding / MLB.com

SAN FRANCISCO -- Wilin Rosario's catching hand is large, as you might expect, but the fingers are straighter and less damaged than is common for a catcher. The healthy hands are a reason Rosario has been a force with the bat since joining the Rockies in 2011.

But all catchers eventually have to deal with something. On Saturday morning, beginning at the base of that hand was heavy black athletic tape stabilizing his wrist.

Rosario suffered an injury to the left wrist sliding into a base on Tuesday night, and he aggravated it with a swing on Wednesday. The Rockies scratched him from Friday night's lineup to give him a day off from the bumps and bruises, but they went back to him for Saturday afternoon's game against the Giants.

"I think everything is good, and as long as it stays that way I'm going to keep in the lineup," he said. "It bothers me more hitting. I can catch with it."

Rosario entered Saturday hitting .233 with no home runs and two RBIs, but he has hit 49 home runs over the last two seasons. So the Rockies want him to take care of those hands and wrists.

Rosario said the only significant hand/wrist injury he has suffered in his career was a break in the wrist that cost him the second half of the 2009 season while at Class A Advanced Modesto. Of course, significant when it comes to catchers is major for most players. Broken and dislocated fingers are a job hazard, even for someone with seemingly pristine hands like Rosario.

"Maybe those things have happened, since everybody has those little things," Rosario said. "But most catchers have a lot of problems with their fingers and wrists. I've been lucky. But you're going to get those and you've got to play with them."

Tulowitzki back in lineup, but being monitored

SAN FRANCISCO -- As was the Rockies' plan, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was back in the lineup Saturday against the Giants after being limited to a ninth-inning pinch-hit appearance Friday night. The Rockies kept him out of the starting lineup on Friday to rest his tight right quadriceps.

In the last six games, Tulowitzki has played a full game once, has sat out two full games and had one at-bat in another.

"We'll still monitor it, but I think he's feeling much better," manager Walt Weiss said. "We feel good about where he's at."

Weiss wants De La Rosa to relax on the mound

SAN FRANCISCO -- Rockies manager Walt Weiss said left-handed pitcher Jorge De La Rosa has fallen into bad habits, which have led to an 0-2 record and 9.69 ERA in his first three starts. But at least De La Rosa doesn't have to overcome health issues.

In 2013, De La Rosa was coming off a long rehab from left elbow surgery and didn't regain his top velocity until late in the season. He still finished 16-6 with a 3.49 ERA. Early this season, he is reaching 95 mph with his fastball. Weiss believes De La Rosa at times feels so healthy that he overdoes it in key situations.

"Last year, he was real good at pitching through that traffic," Weiss said. "I think he's trying to turn it up a notch, and that's when you start to see him overthrow a little bit. It's not from a lack of focus. He just starts to red-line when he doesn't really have to when he gets traffic out there.

"I'm not sure what's going through his mind, but he is healthy. He popped a few 95's [mph]. His arm is feeling good and that could be a factor. But he can get back to what he was a year ago if he can stay in good counts as opposed to overthrowing."

Because of De La Rosa's health and talent, Weiss believes he can surmount his issues.

"Because of his stuff, he's shown at times he can dominate in this league," Weiss said. "At the end of the day, he's got to be able to relax in those situations and make pitches."

Thomas Harding is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @harding_at_mlb. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.